Silk Sonic

Whether working individually or collectively as Silk Sonic, Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak have long wedded Black music’s past and present. Mars’ witty pop takes on nostalgic doo-wop, electro-funk and new jack swing influences combined with .Paak’s eccentric hip-hop, funk and R&B hybrids marked them as pop-soul music’s most savvy and charismatic acts. The peers and one-time tourmates formed the superduo in 2020, their name bestowed by funk legend and mentor Bootsy Collins. Silk Sonic modelled their style after ’70s harmony vocal groups and funk bands, kicking their throwback magic into high gear on their 2021 Philly soul-mined hit single, “Leave the Door Open”, and that song’s highly awaited parent album, An Evening with Silk Sonic. From Mars’ and .Paak’s snazzy ’70s-inspired garb to their retro-fitted satin soul trips through Motown, Philadelphia International and Solar Records, Silk Sonic effortlessly time travels through Black musical eras while keeping things fun and modern for a new generation.